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Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
A Life's Hatred.
were striking objects in the shrubberies . In the cool of a fine evening ¦ when the brilliant sun was low on the horizon and the clouds were gorgeousl y tinted by its fast declining rays , and the calm atmosphere was laden with a thousand floral perfumes , such a picture was presented to the ravished senses as can only bo enjoyed in those far tropical regions , arid one well calculated to live n contemplative mind
with , feelings of artistic rapture . As I have already informed you I was a great admirer of Dame Nature , and I used to bo frequently away , weeks at a time , collecting choice specimens of her products . Upon my return after one of those pleasurable excursions I . noticed a coldness of demeanour in my fiancee that I could not understand . I taxed her -with this strange and , to me , unaccountable alteration , but
failed to obtain any satisfactory explanation . 1 . -was deeply in love with the beautiful girl , and her strange conduct excited in mc the most painful emotions . I redoubled my attentions and did everything in my power to revive in her the warm affection that she used to bestow on me in the first blissful months of our engagement . But in vain ; she became every day more distant in her manner towards me .
In my distress I mentioned her conduct to my kind uncle , and he took counsel with Mr . Daley , who eluded his daughter on what he ( irml y believed to be her fickleness . Alice was evidently impressed with her father ' s strictures , for she became a little more complaisant , and for a time I fondl y thought that her affections were gradually being restored to me . Delusive hope ! In two months from the time
fixed tor our marriage she disappeared from the island . Site left a letter in which she begged her father ' s forgiveness for leaving him so cruelly , but stated in justification that knowing his mind was irrevocably fixed on her union with me she had eloped with a gentleman who had so entwined himself around her heart that she felt that she could not be happy with anyone else . This untoward event proved
to be a great blow to us all . Mr . Daley was quite prostrated with grief ; my uncle was furious with Alice , whom he called , in his rage , " a heartless jilt ; " and I was inconsolable . I made a vow never again to fix my affections or pay addresses to any of the variable sex , however fascinating , and I have most religiously kept that protestation . Such , Mi \ Maitland , is the brief history of the sudden collapse of my first and only courtship . "
" Did you ever hear what became of your faithless fair one P " . Tasked the ustiee . "Sonic months after her departure , her father received a communication from her stating that she and her husband had arrived safely in England , and that she was well and happy . She gave him hcraddress in London , and hoped that he had forgiven her , and that he would leave Jamaica and join her , as her heart yearned to see him
once again . The old gentleman wasted no time , but left b y the first ship ho could secure a passage in . A friend of ours , a planter , sailed in the same vessel , and shortly afterwards wc received a letter which contained the shocking news that the yellow fever had broken out on board a few weeks after the ship had quitted our shore * , and that one of its first victims was poor old Daley , who , weakened b y age and mental distress , had fallen an easy prey to the dreadful scourge . "
"Quite a domestic romance , " remarked Mr . Maitland . "However , as the details even at this late period of time must be exceedingly painful to you , I will not speak further on the subject . To return to the object of your visit to me to-day . I am not inclined to attach any serious importance to the anonymous letter . M y idea is that the writer of this plausible epistle thinks that by acting on your fears he will eventuall y be enabled to establish a system of extortion . "
"I thought so , too , " said the other , " until this morning , when Armand , my valet , made a startling announcement to mc , and on e " What was that ? " quickly interrupted Mr . Maitland .
" It appears that for some time past an ill-looking tramp has been lurking about my house , " resumed Mr . Mordaunt ; " and his movements were so suspicious that they excited the attention of Armand . " "That may be a part , of the plan , " remarked the sceptical Justice . " I will , however , issue immediate instructions that a close watch shall be set on your residence , and if the fellow is again seen in its vicinity , he shall be called upon to give an account of himself . What does vonr man take him to be V "
"A gipsy , " answered Mr . Mordaunt . "Have you , to your recollection , ever been harsh to any member of that predatory tribe ' i " asked the magistrate . "On the contrary , i have always given orders to my servants never lo refuse any just appeal of theirs . T ' o tell the truth , 1 rather
admire the dark-skinned roanung rogues . . 1 here is a h-eedom and an independence about the genuine gipsy which pleases rue . " " You do not know them so well as I do , Mr . . Mordaunt . J regret to say that in the long course of my magisterial experience I have had to hear many sad tales of their vice and delinquency , and have had to make some sharp examples among them . "
"I know that there are black sheep to be found in tin- race , " remarked the other-, "but the same may be said of every class , civilised or otherwise . I met with an exception , " added the speaker , " soon alter my arrival in this neighbourhood . I will relate the incident which led to my introduction to bright , fearless , and honest little Hicliard Lee . " Mr . Morduunl then recounted to his host his
adventure on Bag . shol Heath , and the subsequent disappearance from school of his interesting protege . "My dear sir , " gravely said his hearer , " 1 am afraid that you have unknowingly nursed a viper in your bosom . Your benevolence 1 ms been misplaced , and the boy is in some manner implicated in the
A Life's Hatred.
affair of the letter , and the espionage to winch you have subsequently been subjected .- " " I cannot believe it , sir , " warmly replied his friend . " The lad had honesty and truthfulness written on every feature of his handsome and intelligent face . "
"Well , well , Mr . Mordaunt , I will not seek to disillusionize you as I can see that the snbject is distasteful to you . I hope that my surmise is unfounded , but we humble instruments of the law are apt to judge by plain dry facts , and arc consequently neither to be carried
a . way by sentiment nor romance . You can rely , however , upon niy giving yon every assistance , and yon may also rest assured that any attempt to molest you shall , if possible , lie frustrated . " Mr . Mordaunt thanked the worthy magistrate for his courtesy and advice , and with a hearty shake of the hands the twain parted .
CHAPTER . VI .
It was truly a dreary night that ushered in the events we are about to relate . The snow had been falling very heavil y all day and it lay in huge drifts , whither it had been blown b y the infill" - northeast winds which had prevailed since the commencement of the storm . The tirs and the pine trees presented a fantastic appearance thickly covered as they were with a mantle of snow . The fields '
hills , and other landmarks were rendered quite unrecognisable from the same cause . Here and there the few cottages that dotted the dismal landscape stood out in bold relief , bnt from the gradual accumulation of snow ujion the caves and chimneys they presented an aspect desolate in the extreme . The sk y was of a dull , uniform
leaden colour , and from the steady fall of the snow it was evident that there was but little , if any , prospect of the storm ceasing by the morning . There were but few wayfarers to be seen , and those who were unfortunately compelled by their avocations to be abroad made for home as quickly as possible .
Mr . Mordaunt , in consequence of the inclement weather , had not stirred out that day , but had sat reading in the library . After a late dinner he had retired to his bedchamber , where a good fire was blaziii " merril y on the hearth . His valet assisted him to undress , and when he was comfortabl y wrapped in his warm dressing-gown , and was nestling cosily in u large well-cushioned arm chair with a novel of
Smollet ' s in his hand , he turned to Armand and said , " Pierre , I shall not require your services any more to-night . I shall sit up reading for some time . I feel strangely restless . I slept but little lastni ghi , and my nervous system seems thoroughly unhinged . " "I know that- you will pardon me , sir , for attempting lo dictate to you , " said Armand , " but why not leave this cold , cheerless land , and return to the West Indies . You have not been the same man
since you landed m this country . " " You are quite right in 3-0111- remarks , my good follow , " assented his master . " I have not been well , cither mentall y or bodil y , since I took up my abode here . But I am determined that my bones shall be laid to rest in the land which gave me birth . I appreciate your concern , but the tropics will never again be re-visited by inc . "
The speaker then listlessl y turned over the pages of his book whilst the valet busied himself in putting everything straig ht , before leaving the room . "Armand , " suddenly said the gentleman , "has the storm ceased r "
The valet went to the window and , drawing aside the heavy curtains , peered forth . The snow Hakes were beating against tin glass , and had formed quite a drift within the deep embrasure of the easement . Having carefully readjusted the curtains , Armand advanced into the middle of the apartment , and , with a shiver , answered , "I do not think , sir , ( hat the snow is falling quito so heavily as it was a short time ago . "
" The roads must be almost impassable by this time , " remarked Mr . Mordaunt . "Unless a thaw takes place within the next few days our communication with the outside world will be cut off . " "The mail-carrier , sir , " observed Armand , "told me , when he called this morning , that he had great difficulty in getting here , as in some places the snow drifts were several feet deep . Is there anything else , " he added , " I can do for yon , sir , before I leave Y "
" I think not , my good Armand , " replied the gentleman . " 1011 will not fail to call me at eight o ' clock to-morrow morning . Good night . " The valet , having given the lire a final stir , softly retired . After the departure of his servant , Mr . Mordaunt p lunged into the interesting pages of clever Tobias Sniollct . He read industriously
on for at least an hour , and then closed the book just as the dial 011 the chimney-piece musically chimed the hour of eleven . The lire was burning with a bright glow , but the occupant of the room apparently did not feel its warmth , for he shivered more than once . He sat . musing , with his head supported by one hand , and as the ruddy light shone on his cleanly cut features , broad brow , and clear
dark eyes , a striking profile was presented , that to a , spectator would have recalled the portrait of one of those grandees of the Middle Ages , whose names are forgotten , but whose features yet live on the canvas of many an "Old Master . " The owner of the Limes was apparently gazing at the embers , but his thoughts were far away .
He was thinking , strangely enough , of lhat distant time when he wandered side by side with the beautiful Alice , ere the black cloud came which dimmed the brig ht , sun of his hopes for ever . Her fair face and wealth of golden tresses were shaded by the broad and p icturesque hat she wore . A mass of white flowing drapery eiicoui-
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
A Life's Hatred.
were striking objects in the shrubberies . In the cool of a fine evening ¦ when the brilliant sun was low on the horizon and the clouds were gorgeousl y tinted by its fast declining rays , and the calm atmosphere was laden with a thousand floral perfumes , such a picture was presented to the ravished senses as can only bo enjoyed in those far tropical regions , arid one well calculated to live n contemplative mind
with , feelings of artistic rapture . As I have already informed you I was a great admirer of Dame Nature , and I used to bo frequently away , weeks at a time , collecting choice specimens of her products . Upon my return after one of those pleasurable excursions I . noticed a coldness of demeanour in my fiancee that I could not understand . I taxed her -with this strange and , to me , unaccountable alteration , but
failed to obtain any satisfactory explanation . 1 . -was deeply in love with the beautiful girl , and her strange conduct excited in mc the most painful emotions . I redoubled my attentions and did everything in my power to revive in her the warm affection that she used to bestow on me in the first blissful months of our engagement . But in vain ; she became every day more distant in her manner towards me .
In my distress I mentioned her conduct to my kind uncle , and he took counsel with Mr . Daley , who eluded his daughter on what he ( irml y believed to be her fickleness . Alice was evidently impressed with her father ' s strictures , for she became a little more complaisant , and for a time I fondl y thought that her affections were gradually being restored to me . Delusive hope ! In two months from the time
fixed tor our marriage she disappeared from the island . Site left a letter in which she begged her father ' s forgiveness for leaving him so cruelly , but stated in justification that knowing his mind was irrevocably fixed on her union with me she had eloped with a gentleman who had so entwined himself around her heart that she felt that she could not be happy with anyone else . This untoward event proved
to be a great blow to us all . Mr . Daley was quite prostrated with grief ; my uncle was furious with Alice , whom he called , in his rage , " a heartless jilt ; " and I was inconsolable . I made a vow never again to fix my affections or pay addresses to any of the variable sex , however fascinating , and I have most religiously kept that protestation . Such , Mi \ Maitland , is the brief history of the sudden collapse of my first and only courtship . "
" Did you ever hear what became of your faithless fair one P " . Tasked the ustiee . "Sonic months after her departure , her father received a communication from her stating that she and her husband had arrived safely in England , and that she was well and happy . She gave him hcraddress in London , and hoped that he had forgiven her , and that he would leave Jamaica and join her , as her heart yearned to see him
once again . The old gentleman wasted no time , but left b y the first ship ho could secure a passage in . A friend of ours , a planter , sailed in the same vessel , and shortly afterwards wc received a letter which contained the shocking news that the yellow fever had broken out on board a few weeks after the ship had quitted our shore * , and that one of its first victims was poor old Daley , who , weakened b y age and mental distress , had fallen an easy prey to the dreadful scourge . "
"Quite a domestic romance , " remarked Mr . Maitland . "However , as the details even at this late period of time must be exceedingly painful to you , I will not speak further on the subject . To return to the object of your visit to me to-day . I am not inclined to attach any serious importance to the anonymous letter . M y idea is that the writer of this plausible epistle thinks that by acting on your fears he will eventuall y be enabled to establish a system of extortion . "
"I thought so , too , " said the other , " until this morning , when Armand , my valet , made a startling announcement to mc , and on e " What was that ? " quickly interrupted Mr . Maitland .
" It appears that for some time past an ill-looking tramp has been lurking about my house , " resumed Mr . Mordaunt ; " and his movements were so suspicious that they excited the attention of Armand . " "That may be a part , of the plan , " remarked the sceptical Justice . " I will , however , issue immediate instructions that a close watch shall be set on your residence , and if the fellow is again seen in its vicinity , he shall be called upon to give an account of himself . What does vonr man take him to be V "
"A gipsy , " answered Mr . Mordaunt . "Have you , to your recollection , ever been harsh to any member of that predatory tribe ' i " asked the magistrate . "On the contrary , i have always given orders to my servants never lo refuse any just appeal of theirs . T ' o tell the truth , 1 rather
admire the dark-skinned roanung rogues . . 1 here is a h-eedom and an independence about the genuine gipsy which pleases rue . " " You do not know them so well as I do , Mr . . Mordaunt . J regret to say that in the long course of my magisterial experience I have had to hear many sad tales of their vice and delinquency , and have had to make some sharp examples among them . "
"I know that there are black sheep to be found in tin- race , " remarked the other-, "but the same may be said of every class , civilised or otherwise . I met with an exception , " added the speaker , " soon alter my arrival in this neighbourhood . I will relate the incident which led to my introduction to bright , fearless , and honest little Hicliard Lee . " Mr . Morduunl then recounted to his host his
adventure on Bag . shol Heath , and the subsequent disappearance from school of his interesting protege . "My dear sir , " gravely said his hearer , " 1 am afraid that you have unknowingly nursed a viper in your bosom . Your benevolence 1 ms been misplaced , and the boy is in some manner implicated in the
A Life's Hatred.
affair of the letter , and the espionage to winch you have subsequently been subjected .- " " I cannot believe it , sir , " warmly replied his friend . " The lad had honesty and truthfulness written on every feature of his handsome and intelligent face . "
"Well , well , Mr . Mordaunt , I will not seek to disillusionize you as I can see that the snbject is distasteful to you . I hope that my surmise is unfounded , but we humble instruments of the law are apt to judge by plain dry facts , and arc consequently neither to be carried
a . way by sentiment nor romance . You can rely , however , upon niy giving yon every assistance , and yon may also rest assured that any attempt to molest you shall , if possible , lie frustrated . " Mr . Mordaunt thanked the worthy magistrate for his courtesy and advice , and with a hearty shake of the hands the twain parted .
CHAPTER . VI .
It was truly a dreary night that ushered in the events we are about to relate . The snow had been falling very heavil y all day and it lay in huge drifts , whither it had been blown b y the infill" - northeast winds which had prevailed since the commencement of the storm . The tirs and the pine trees presented a fantastic appearance thickly covered as they were with a mantle of snow . The fields '
hills , and other landmarks were rendered quite unrecognisable from the same cause . Here and there the few cottages that dotted the dismal landscape stood out in bold relief , bnt from the gradual accumulation of snow ujion the caves and chimneys they presented an aspect desolate in the extreme . The sk y was of a dull , uniform
leaden colour , and from the steady fall of the snow it was evident that there was but little , if any , prospect of the storm ceasing by the morning . There were but few wayfarers to be seen , and those who were unfortunately compelled by their avocations to be abroad made for home as quickly as possible .
Mr . Mordaunt , in consequence of the inclement weather , had not stirred out that day , but had sat reading in the library . After a late dinner he had retired to his bedchamber , where a good fire was blaziii " merril y on the hearth . His valet assisted him to undress , and when he was comfortabl y wrapped in his warm dressing-gown , and was nestling cosily in u large well-cushioned arm chair with a novel of
Smollet ' s in his hand , he turned to Armand and said , " Pierre , I shall not require your services any more to-night . I shall sit up reading for some time . I feel strangely restless . I slept but little lastni ghi , and my nervous system seems thoroughly unhinged . " "I know that- you will pardon me , sir , for attempting lo dictate to you , " said Armand , " but why not leave this cold , cheerless land , and return to the West Indies . You have not been the same man
since you landed m this country . " " You are quite right in 3-0111- remarks , my good follow , " assented his master . " I have not been well , cither mentall y or bodil y , since I took up my abode here . But I am determined that my bones shall be laid to rest in the land which gave me birth . I appreciate your concern , but the tropics will never again be re-visited by inc . "
The speaker then listlessl y turned over the pages of his book whilst the valet busied himself in putting everything straig ht , before leaving the room . "Armand , " suddenly said the gentleman , "has the storm ceased r "
The valet went to the window and , drawing aside the heavy curtains , peered forth . The snow Hakes were beating against tin glass , and had formed quite a drift within the deep embrasure of the easement . Having carefully readjusted the curtains , Armand advanced into the middle of the apartment , and , with a shiver , answered , "I do not think , sir , ( hat the snow is falling quito so heavily as it was a short time ago . "
" The roads must be almost impassable by this time , " remarked Mr . Mordaunt . "Unless a thaw takes place within the next few days our communication with the outside world will be cut off . " "The mail-carrier , sir , " observed Armand , "told me , when he called this morning , that he had great difficulty in getting here , as in some places the snow drifts were several feet deep . Is there anything else , " he added , " I can do for yon , sir , before I leave Y "
" I think not , my good Armand , " replied the gentleman . " 1011 will not fail to call me at eight o ' clock to-morrow morning . Good night . " The valet , having given the lire a final stir , softly retired . After the departure of his servant , Mr . Mordaunt p lunged into the interesting pages of clever Tobias Sniollct . He read industriously
on for at least an hour , and then closed the book just as the dial 011 the chimney-piece musically chimed the hour of eleven . The lire was burning with a bright glow , but the occupant of the room apparently did not feel its warmth , for he shivered more than once . He sat . musing , with his head supported by one hand , and as the ruddy light shone on his cleanly cut features , broad brow , and clear
dark eyes , a striking profile was presented , that to a , spectator would have recalled the portrait of one of those grandees of the Middle Ages , whose names are forgotten , but whose features yet live on the canvas of many an "Old Master . " The owner of the Limes was apparently gazing at the embers , but his thoughts were far away .
He was thinking , strangely enough , of lhat distant time when he wandered side by side with the beautiful Alice , ere the black cloud came which dimmed the brig ht , sun of his hopes for ever . Her fair face and wealth of golden tresses were shaded by the broad and p icturesque hat she wore . A mass of white flowing drapery eiicoui-